Political Systems

Political Systems

• Countries can have a variety of political systems. • They include:• * Democracy• * Representative Government (Republic)• * Monarchy• * Totalitarian Government

I. Democracy

• In a direct democracy, the entire adult citizenship votes to create the laws.

• This is difficult to do in large numbers.

• People may not know much about the issues they vote on.

• Ancient Athens is an example of a democracy.

II. Representative Government~Republic

• *The people elect representatives to make the laws. These legislative representatives are part of a parliament or congress.

• *Citizens must pay attention to vote wisely, but do not need to be experts on every law.

• *This type of government is often called a "republic." In a representative democracy, majority rule is achieved through periodic elections.

• *Examples are the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

III. Monarchy• Rulers inherit the throne by birth. • In absolute monarchies, citizens do not have the right to decide

laws. • There are fewer monarchies in the last 100 years...• Examples: Jordan, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.• Constitutional monarchies, The government is a republic with

a parliament and a monarch who is a ceremonial leader.• Examples: United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, and Japan.

IV. Dictatorship or Totalitarian Government

• One person, group, or party holds total power to govern and make laws. Citizens have few if any rights and have little or no say in what the government does.

• Dictators often call themselves "president" and hold elections, but it is just for show because no one else is allowed to run and the government proclaims the results it wants.

• Examples: Cuba, North Korea, Libya, Egypt, China• Theocratic totalitarianism is a form of government where the rulers believe

that "god" gives them the right to rule. Found in some Muslim countries.• Communism is an economic system that often results in totalitarian rule.

How does a dictator stay in power?• Dictators can use their armies to arrest or attack

protestors. Example: Syrian's military attacking protesters many times who were calling for the "President's" resignation and new elections.

• Dictators often promise a better life, especially for the poor. This has happened many times in Central and South American dictatorships.

• Many countries have never had democracy, so they are used to having dictators.

• Some dictators get support from other countries, such as the Soviet Union (Russia's) support for Fidel and Raul Castro in Cuba (over the past fifty years.)

Rights and Freedom

• Factors for evaluating freedom are political rights and civil liberties-

• Political rights include:• Fair and competitive elections• Power for elected representatives• Ability to organize• Safeguards on rights of minorities

Rights and Freedoms, etc.

• Civil liberties are: • freedom from arbitrary interference by individuals or by

government in a person's life. • Civil liberties are specifically protected in the

constitutions of most democratic countries. • In authoritarian countries, civil liberties are often formally

guaranteed in a constitution, but ignored in practice.